Author(s): Dr. N Dhanya and Annapoorna M

Abstract:
The study was conducted with an aim to conduct intervention programme and to compare the reading competency of chosen primary school students (Classes 1 and 2) before and after the intervention programme in order to check for improvement in their knowledge in reading skills. The sample consisted of 18 primary school children studying in Union L.P.S Thrikkanarvattom, Ernakulam. They were selected through purposive sampling method. Prior to and after the intervention programme they underwent assessments to check how much their reading proficiency had improved. A structured Reading Programme Manual was used to intervene the sample. SRP manual was formulated in two parts with an aim to make the students more proficient and knowledgeable readers which would ease their journey of language acquisition. The method used to assess the students' reading abilities was a modified version of the Ekwall and Shankar Reading Inventory (ESRI). The findings revealed a significant difference between the reading abilities of children before and after the intervention programme in terms of rhyme production, rhyme recognition, initial sound recognition, consonant blends and digraphs, sight word reading, and print concept (p = 0.000, p 0.05 is highly significant).